{"id":"f503e803-a4ca-438b-9e39-097b5c11e655","slug":"isolated-traumatic-occipital-condyle-fractures-is-external-cervical-orthosis-even-necessary","title":"Isolated traumatic occipital condyle fractures: Is external cervical orthosis even necessary?","authors":["Enyinna Nwachuku","Confidence Njoku-Austin","Kevin P. Patel","Austin W. Anthony","Aditya Mittal","David Kojo Hamilton","Adam Kanter","Peter C. Gerszten","David Okonkwo"],"abstract":"Background: Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) have been reported in up to 4–16% of individuals suffering cervical spine trauma. The current management of OCF fractures relies on a rigid cervical collar for 6 weeks or longer. Here, we calculated the rate of acute and delayed surgical intervention (occipitocervical fusion) for patients with isolated OCF who were managed with a cervical collar over a 10-year period at a single institution. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis performed on all patients admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Center between 2008 and 2018 who suffered traumatic isolated OCF managed with an external rigid cervical orthosis. Radiographic imaging was reviewed by several board-certified neuroradiologists. Demographic and clinical data were collected including need for occipitocervical fusion within 12 months after trauma. Results: The incidence of isolated OCF was 4% (60/1536) for those patients admitted with cervical spine fractures. They averaged 49 years of age, and 58% were male falls accounted for the mechanism of injury in 47% of patients. Classification of OCF was most commonly classified in 47% as type I Anderson and Montesano fractures. Of the 60 patients who suffered isolated OCF that was managed with external cervical orthosis, 0% required occipitocervical fusion within 12 months posttrauma. About 90% were discharged, while the remaining 10% sustained traumatic brain/orthopedic injury that limited an accurate neurological assessment. Conclusion: Here, we documented a 4% incidence of isolated OCF in our cervical trauma population, a rate which is comparable to that found in the literature year. Most notably, we documented a 0% incidence for requiring delayed occipital-cervical fusions.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/f503e803-a4ca-438b-9e39-097b5c11e655/featured/hero-1781561916308.png","publishDate":"2021-10-19T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_748_2021","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/11188/SNI-12-524.pdf"}